2007 World Conference Legislation

Whereas, The Community of Christ has a long history of promoting good health and sound practices of responsible personal conduct; and

Whereas, Over the years, the church has developed policies on acceptable personal conduct that have mostly come from a United States of America orientation; and

Whereas, With the many cultures in which the church ministers there are widely varying views as to the acceptability and importance of church rules and policies about acceptable personal conduct; and

Whereas, Currently the church stands in the difficult position of holding up official standards of conduct that, while based on the best intentions, do not take into account different cultural mores and understandings other than those of United States of America; and

Whereas, The church has been admonished that “Instruction which has been given in former years is applicable in principle to the needs of today and should be so regarded by those who are seeking ways to accomplish the will of their heavenly Father. But the demands of a growing church require that these principles shall be evaluated and subjected to further interpretation.” (D&C 147:7); and

Whereas, The counsel given in Doctrine and Covenants 86 known as the Word of Wisdom was given in 1833 when the church was almost exclusively a United States of America church; and

Whereas, Doctrine and Covenants 86 was given to the church as “A word of wisdom for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the church; and also the Saints in Zion. To be sent greeting, not by commandment, or constraint.” (Preface to D&C 86); and

Whereas, The Community of Christ is an international church, which promotes and celebrates cultural diversity in all of its dimensions; and

Whereas, The members of the Council of Twelve have been counseled “as the chief witnesses of the gospel . . . to interpret and administer the doctrines and ordinances of the gospel in a manner appropriate to the circumstances in which they find such persons.” (D&C 150:11b); now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the application of the church’s standards of personal conduct in all parts of the world be based on the central principles of the worth of all persons and personal agency and responsibility grounded in the principles of sound health and positive interpersonal relationships; and be it further

Resolved, That the World Conference acknowledge the need for flexibility and cultural respect when dealing with the application of the church’s standards of personal conduct in the varying cultures and nations of the world; and be it further

Resolved, That the World Conference recognize the responsibility of the Council of Twelve to interpret the “doctrines and ordinances of the gospel in a manner appropriate to the circumstances” where this growing church finds itself (D&C 150: 11b); and be it further

Resolved, That the church’s standards of personal conduct be applied around the world in culturally appropriate ways under the guidance of administrative officers and with the support and approval of the members of the Twelve involved.